by "Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
Published 06/23/2017 at 09:59
by "Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
Published 06/23/2017 at 09:59
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STARS: 1
In my never ending search for a relatively modern (year 2000+) truck that is manual, 4x4 and capable of towing my Mini on a trailer, I jokingly told my dad that maybe I should look into Cayennes. Well, I did look into Cayennes and was rather shocked. A 2005 Cayenne S with about 100k miles, one owner and full service history is listed at $9000, compared to the Tundra I was looking at recently which was also a one owner but a 2003 model with 95k miles which was listed at $12,900.
Now the Cayenne isn’t going to be as durable or reliable as the Tundra but from what I’ve found the early Cayennes are very reliable for a German luxo SUV. Do your preventative maintenance and you’re good to go pretty much indefinitely. Plus, who wouldn’t want an SUV that drives more like a car, is stupidly fast and luxurious compared to contemporary pickups and can tow a ridiculous 7000lbs.
Please tell me why this is a bad idea, because Im seriously about ready to start looking at only Cayennes.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
06/23/2017 at 10:10, STARS: 1
avoid the panoramic sunroof.
"gawdzillla" (gawdzillla)
06/23/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 0
get a TDI lol
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 0
Aside from any reliability concerns, the 1st gen Cayenne/Touareg/Q7 are very heavy. The base V6 models are about 5000 lbs and the bigger engines go up from there. V8 Cayennes are about 5200 and the Touareg V10 TDI is 5800 lbs. The big deal when the 2nd gen came out was “look, it’s 600 lbs lighter than the old one!”
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
06/23/2017 at 10:21, STARS: 0
Turbo or bust.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
06/23/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 0
The V8s are quite reliable other than coolant pipes and one or two other minor things IIRC.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 10:24, STARS: 0
That’s what I’ve seen mostly as well
"BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind" (briangriffinsprius)
06/23/2017 at 10:25, STARS: 0
Read Tyler Hoover’s stuff on Autotrader. They seem pretty stout.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
06/23/2017 at 10:29, STARS: 1
Honestly, even the Turbos are more reliable than many cars. That V8 was a gem.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 0
I’ve been following his pretty closely
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 10:39, STARS: 0
I know they’re heavy but its not like contemporary full size pickups are much lighter.
"nermal" (nermal)
06/23/2017 at 10:43, STARS: 1
The problem with them is the same problem that all 10+ yr old luxury vehicles that have depreciated by $50k+ have - IF something breaks, it’s going to be expensive. You’re not repairing a $9k vehicle, you’re repairing a $60k+ vehicle.
That said, a 1-owner with full service history is about as good as you can get. Like all used vehicles, plan on paying to change all of the vital fluids and get a thorough checkup from and independent mechanic as soon as you get it.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 10:55, STARS: 2
Im very aware to the used luxury vehicle situation, having dealt with my mom’s original X5 for the past 10 years. I know what I’d be getting into and would get any Cayenne checked out before I bought it plus have at least $5k set aside for repairs/refresh.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0
Nothing with a 7000+ lb towing capacity is going to be light weight, but even among other not-full-size SUVs from that era with similar towing capacities as a Cayenne V8, you can get a lot lighter than a Cayenne V8
Nissan Pathfinder V8 4x4 - 5030 lbs
Lexus GX470 - 4871 lbs
Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi - 4735 lbs
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 - 4665 lbs
Toyota 4Runner 4x4 V8 - 4530 lbs
That said, I can tell you based on my personal experience owning a Hemi Grand Cherokee, even if it’s lighter than the Cayenne, it gets awful gas mileage.
How much towing capacity do you actually need though?
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
I only need about 5000lbs, might be able to get away with 4500 or 4000 but I’d much prefer to not max out the rating. It appears that the Cayenne will average about 16-17mpg which isnt drastically out of line when all is said and done. Plus of all those listed the Cayenne is certainly the best to drive which would be worth the lost mpg to me.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/23/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 1
We had a 2007 Audi Q7 from 60k-ish up through 150k-ish. We only sold it off because we needed room for son number 3. It was the 3.6 also. There were issues with early build cayennes but they mostly addressed them by 2005-6. The audis 3.6 had an issue with the oil pump pulley bolt coming loose, but from what I understand, that happens early on, so a 100k example should be okay. Get the trans fluid changed and the coolant fluid changed if they haven’t been done yet. We had to replace the electric fuel pump, there are three fuel pumps, at 100k, but otherwise no issues. I thought the tank had be dropped, but that’s not the case, they cut a hole through the carpet to access the pump under the 2nd row seat. I would’ve done the repair myself and saved a bunch, but didn’t. Oh well.
We loved our Q7, the Porsche should be good as well. I would’ve liked the V8, but the 6 was plenty of power. As heavy as it was, it drove like a sports sedan, and heavy sports sedan, but a sports sedan nonetheless. I got bit by the audi bug and now am on my 3rd one. My S8. Buy the rosstech vagcom cable as well, it comes in handy for services and checking for issues.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/23/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 1
Oh yeah and the panoramic roofs on the audis were leak prone, but not sure about the Porsches, or if they offer them, but maybe steer clear of those if possible, or make sure you keep the drain lines clear. But should be a fun ride for sure.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 11:25, STARS: 0
With big heavy A/T tires on my Hemi Grand Cherokee I was averaging about 11 mpg in town. Got up to 15 on the highway though. Yay?
I hate the 4th gen 4Runner because you sit on the floor and the windows are small. The Lexus GX is the same platform but a taller body with normal seating position and visibility. The R51 Pathfinder is kinda garbage. WK Grand Cherokees have the plasticky interior and electrical gremlins you would expect of a mid-’00s Mopar product.
My concern with the Cayenne isn’t so much that they’re super unreliable, but anything that old regardless of its reputation for reliability is going to require maintenance, and parts will be expensive.
Before my Hemi ’05 I had a beat up ’99 Grand Cherokee with the regular 235 hp 4.7 V8 and it was more like 14/18 mpg.
If I were getting a cheap old SUV again, my choices would be between a 2003-04 WJ Grand Cherokee Overland with the 265 hp 4.7 HO V8 and Quadra-Drive (all 3 diffs are hydraulically-actuated LSDs) or a 2002-04 R50 Pathfinder LE or Infiniti QX4 with the 240 hp VQ V6 and rear LSD.
The Pathfinder is more refined with much better build quality. The R51 was a big step down from the R50. Compared to the R50, the WJ has a more capable 4wd system, super comfy grandpa recliner seats, and more room inside with the rear seats flipped down. The Pathfinder can tow 5000 lbs and the 4.7 WJ can do 6500 lbs.
"OmerCarrothers333" (omercarrothers333)
06/23/2017 at 11:31, STARS: 0
I was eyeballing used Cayennes as well, but I ultimately decided to replace my Accord with a used GTI.
I am in agreement that if you’re buying a car off the original owner, it’s probably the best way to go.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 0
Ideally I had been hoping for a nice Xterra as they can be had with a 6 speed but finding a well kept one for reasonable money is impossible.
Im not particularly scared about maintenance/parts costs as Im pretty used to and have them factored into my budget.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 11:58, STARS: 1
I don’t like the Xterra because my main use for an SUV is as a utility/winter on-road vehicle, and full-time 4wd/awd is much better for driving around town in the snow than part-time 4wd with no center differential.
A center differential does a better job reacting to road conditions. I also get annoyed in a 4x4 without a center diff having to switch back into 2wd to pull into a parking space without binding up the driveline. With any decent full-time 4wd system you can still lock the transfer case or use low range if needed.
Which is why I only like the R50 Pathfinder LE/QX4 because those have an awd mode unlike the lower trims.
"cmill189 - sans Volvo" (cmill189)
06/23/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
The GTS was available with a 6-speed manual...
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/23/2017 at 15:23, STARS: 0
You are doing this correctly.
"LJ909" (lj909)
06/23/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 0
Turbo Models: from what I’ve read, brake jobs can be $1000 per axle.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 17:38, STARS: 1
I’d believe it, that’s why when parts are so damn expensive you better be able to do the labor yourself or you’re not gonna have any money.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
06/23/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 1
I like to think Im not a complete idiot all of the time